Welcome Back

Welcome back to the 2010-2011 school year!

This year is going to be very exciting. We have some new curriculum, progress monitoring strategies and project's we'll be doing this year. There are 2 new pages on this blog. Ms. Diehl's page and Ms. Kripton's page to show off what our students have been working on throughout the year. Click the tabs above to find your son/daughter's online portfolio.

We will use our website https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/diehl-s-gbms-teachings/
to keep you updated with information, up-coming events and field trips.

We look forward to seeing all of you at our first parent group meeting. It will be held on:

Congrats to our 8th grade graduates! We will miss you!

Check it out!

Cool New Website by Ms. Diehl!

Check it out!

https://sites.google.com/a/op97.org/diehl-s-gbms-teachings/

DD/DLP Parent Night

Hello everyone!

We have set the date for our new DD/DLP Parent Night. Please join us on May 6th, from 7:00-8:00pm for an informal opportunity to discuss with other parents high school/post high school transitions. We've invited former GBMS parents to join us to share their experience and answer questions you may have. We strongly encourage everyone to come. This meeting is beneficial for ALL DD/DLP Parents. Let us know if you have questions.

All our best,

Sue, Jordan, Kari

--
Jordan Kripton
jkripton@op97.org
Instructional teacher
Brooks Middle School

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."Robert Collier

Up-coming Events and Dates

1. Best Buddies Enchanted Castle Field Trip ---May 4th Field Trip forms came home this week.
   
2. Best Buddies meeting Wednesday May 5th
3. DD/DLP Parent Night-- Thursday May 6th 7:00-8:00pm @ Brooks
   
4. Morton Arboretum Field Trip--Friday, May 14th
5. Best Buddies Banquet---Wednesday May, 19th
6. 5th Grade Welcome/Transition Social: Thursday May 20th 12:15.
   

Congrats Miss Diehl

Miss Diehl is the Illinois Best Buddies Advisor of the Year!

We all know she's amazing, passionate and truly an inspiration.
We are proud to see that others around the State also recognize her hard work and dedication.


Way to go Miss Diehl!

Best Buddies Fundraiser

The Best Buddies Photo Booth!

We are excited to share that our Best Buddies Photo Booth was very successful. Throughout the week we had a photo booth up outside the lunch room. Students could dress up in silly costumes and hats to take photos with their friends.

Our DD/DLP class and the Best Buddies Group made posters, announcements and went around to different lunch tables to advertise the cause.

It was a ton of fun, and we are proud of all the people who contributed and helped! Thanks everyone!

Up-Coming Events/Dates

• February 22nd-March 19th IAA (Illinois Alternative Assessments--ISAT) window.

• February 26th---8th graders are heading to the High School to watch a basketball game and see their new school!

• March 19th---Best Buddies Carnival at Brooks from 3:30-6:30.

• Saturday March 20th---OPRFHS All Day Conference---2 parents are coming to talk about how they supported their daughter (who has significant needs) transition from school to adulthood. We've been told they are wonderful speakers and will not just tell you a story, but will share tips and strategies on how they did it and how it can be done. A flyer will come home soon.

• March 25th---DD/DLP District Bowling Field Trip to Circle Lanes

• SPRING BREAK! March 29th-April 2nd

Museum Opportunities

The Art Institute in Chicago is FREE for the month of February

The Shedd Aquarium is FREE February 15th-19th

8th grade cap and gown pictures!

Attention 8th Grade Parents!

Cap and gown pictures are Friday, February 5th! Order forms went home today. Please return them to school asap! Questions or Concerns e-mail Ms. Diehl or Ms. Kripton

Parent Teacher Conferences Feb 4

Parents of Ms. Diehl's students:

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February 4th. Schedule forms were sent home last week. Please return them to Ms. Diehl asap.

FYI to parents in Ms. Kripton's class---she will not be at Brooks on the 4th. For those wishing to conference, we need to schedule a time on a different date.

West Suburban Rec Summer Camp Information

This is information from WSSRA! :) Summer will be here before we know it!

Yes, it is only January but WSSRA is thinking summer! The WSSRA Day Camp registration drive ends on Friday, Feb. 5 at 5pm. We do a lottery. I know IEP's may still be planned for spring but if families wait until then to think summer camp, it will be too late. Please encourage all the Dt. 97 parents of special education students to think about day camp and other recreation options. WSSRA had 9 camps last year, serving 180 students. WSSRA offers 2 preschool camps and all other campers are grouped by age and ability level. Half day slots are available for those students attending Dt. 97 summer school. Camps are usually held at recreation facilities in Berwyn, Oak Park and Forest Park. Families can down load a registration form from our winter brochure found at www.wssra.net. They can complete the form and fax it to us at 847-455-2157 or mail it to us. NO deposit is required to enter the lottery. If they "win" a slot in camp, we'll arrange payment plans and scholarships for those who need them. Thanks for your help in sharing this news with your students' families. Please call me if you have any questions. Feel free to give my number to parents who may have questions about camp. Thanks for your support.

Maryellen Bilek
Outreach Speciaiist
West Suburban Special Recreation Association
847-455-2100,ext 228